THE WILL TO POWER

Major Chinese manufacturer LDV have released their range of electric vehicles including large vans with practical applications in the Australian market.

Just 30 years ago China possessed only a rudimentary automotive manufacturing industry, yet today accounts for around 25 per cent of the global vehicle market. China has also been very quick to pick up on the electric vehicle (EV) wave and in 2022 more EVs were sold in China than in the rest of the world, with these lower emission vehicles accounting for 26 per cent of China’s domestic vehicle sales. Globally, one in four EVs are built in China and at the end of 2022 there were 10.5 million EVs spread across the planet, 6.5 million of them in China. The diesel powered LDV Deliver 9 large van has been enjoying solid sales since its introduction to Australia and has now been joined by electric versions in both high and standard roof heights, as well as a cab chassis. The lithium-ion battery is located under the rear floor so cargo space has not been compromised and while battery weight remains an issue for manufacturers of EVs, the location in the LDV eDeliver 9 actually contributes to the van’s balance and ride characteristics especially when there is little or no load being carried as during our test drive. The eDeliver 9 has the same cubic cargo capacity as the conventional diesel engine LDV variants with 10.97 cubic metres for the mid-roof and 12.33 cubic metres for the high roof. Payload for the mid roof is 1,410 kgs while the high roof has a slightly lower 1,350 kgs due to its marginally higher tare weight. Towing capacity for all models is 1,500 kgs. The cargo area has non-slip entry steps and the floor is covered by a durable non-slip rubber mat with checker plate pattern. There are eight solid tiedown points to restrain cargo items. Access to the load compartment is via a sliding door on the kerbside and 236 degree opening dual barn doors at the rear. Both van versions are powered by an 88.55 kWh battery which allows for an operational range of up to 280 kilometres. The cab chassis’ 65kWh battery achieves a range of 150 kilometres when fitted with a standard sized box cargo body. All models have a 150kW permanent magnet motor delivering 310Nm of torque via front wheel drive. The driver can select from three drive modes of normal, eco and power according to the level of performance and power consumption required.

Charging time using a 3-phase AC charger requires eight hours at a maximum charge rate of 11kW to take the battery from five to 100 per cent in the vans and 6.5 hours to achieve the same result for the cab chassis. Utilising a DC fast charger, the van battery can rise from 20 per cent to

80 per cent in just 45 minutes. All of the vehicles are also equipped with an emergency charging system which operates from a domestic three pin outlet.

In common with the internal combustion engine LDV vans, the eDeliver 9 is equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety systems including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning and an Electronic Stability Control System from Bosch. Driver and passenger front, side and curtain airbags contribute to the LDV’s level of safety as does the Adaptive Cruise Control, Hill Hold and front and rear parking sensors. Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth smartphone connections and steering wheel controls keep the eDeliver 9 at the front of equipment expectations of professional and private drivers. Storage compartments under the seats and above the windscreen add to the practicality, as do the USB ports. The driver’s seat has eight way electric adjustability and the two-passenger bench seat has a fold down middle section which has a handy additional cup holder as well as being an ideal location for a tablet or laptop. External panel fit and quality durable interior finishes are of a level of quality which is somewhat unexpected and demonstrate that Chinese manufacturing has come a long way in recent years. EVs are not cheap to develop, manufacture or eventually purchase, with sticker prices for the eDeliver 9 approaching $120,000. This can be balanced by taking into account the recognised value in their exceptionally low running and maintenance costs and, of course, the lack of exhaust emissions. Already, a number of European municipalities are restricting vehicle access to low- or zero-emission vehicles, with Britain already going as far as banning the sale of new internal combustion vehicles, including hybrids, by 2035. The eDeliver 9’s service intervals of two years or 30,000 kilometres will keep total cost of ownership combustion engines’ need to have their complex systems checked and their oil changed frequently. Value of ownership is further enhanced with the five year/160,000 kilometre warranty which includes roadside assistance, further supported by the eight years/160,000 kilometre warranty coverage on the battery itself. The eDeliver 9 van currently has the EV van space all to itself and will appeal to applications in various government entities as well as high profile companies which wish to flag their commitment to reducing their overall carbon footprints at the same time as utilising a practical van which is pleasant to drive and is equipped with many of the current safety and driver support technologies found in conventionally powered commercial vehicles. On the road the eDeliver 9 is whisper quiet with the main noise experienced during our test drive coming from the air conditioning fan keeping us warm as we travel through the NSW Southern Highlands and the occasional sweep of the wipers as they wipe off the sleet actually so quiet that it produces an electronic “whirring” noise at speeds under 15 kilometres per hour to warn pedestrians of its presence.

From an operational perspective, the eDeliver 9 presents few compromises, especially in urban applications where the power used during daily travels of around 280 kilometres can be replenished efficiently utilising overnight charging.

Locally, LDV through its distributor Ateco, have introduced an electric ‘people mover’ tagged the MIFA 9, which provides comfort and convenience for seven people and their luggage in an all-electric vehicle capable of well over 400 kilometres between charges.

LDV’s foray into electrification also now extends to its leadership for Australia’s first electric ute, the LDV eT60, an eAxle rear wheel drive EV with a range rating of 330 kilometres. The eT60 is the ‘zero emission’ version of the LDV T60 diesel utilities which have notched up around 25,000 Australian sales since their launch here in September 2017.